There's no doubting Fellini's strength as a director and storyteller with this fable about a society reporter in search of some kind of meaning. Beautiful cinematography coupled with great acting and several jarring, absurd scenes makes this an epic film to be reckoned with.
(Spoilers)
I must say that I sympathized with Marcello in his search for something substantial in his life. He is stuck in the meaningless, dull, morally corrupt existence of a gossip writer who's life is one party and sexual conquest after another. He yearns for something substantial; a new life, a family, another job, anything to get him out of his rut. He idolized an older friend who is a professional with a majestic house and an adorable family, but is warned against such routes in life, being told that happiness and the life he wants "doesn't lie within four walls." The tragic outcome of his friend's situation forces Marcello to make a decision and abandon his quest for meaning, falling back into a hedonistic lifestyle of debauchery and frivolous escapades. And, after reading other reviews, I understand the character of the girl on the beach and why she was there. Interesting, because at the time I was thinking 'what the hell is this about?'. All in all, a great film, maybe a bit long for some or too challenging to grasp at first, but great none the less.
(Spoilers)
I must say that I sympathized with Marcello in his search for something substantial in his life. He is stuck in the meaningless, dull, morally corrupt existence of a gossip writer who's life is one party and sexual conquest after another. He yearns for something substantial; a new life, a family, another job, anything to get him out of his rut. He idolized an older friend who is a professional with a majestic house and an adorable family, but is warned against such routes in life, being told that happiness and the life he wants "doesn't lie within four walls." The tragic outcome of his friend's situation forces Marcello to make a decision and abandon his quest for meaning, falling back into a hedonistic lifestyle of debauchery and frivolous escapades. And, after reading other reviews, I understand the character of the girl on the beach and why she was there. Interesting, because at the time I was thinking 'what the hell is this about?'. All in all, a great film, maybe a bit long for some or too challenging to grasp at first, but great none the less.
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